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23/12/2024

Why not ask? Why not tell?

Law Centre NI are pleased to publish our social security policy briefing, ‘Why not ask? Why not tell?: a proposal for more proactive administration of social security claims‘.

This short briefing paper outlines issues that we have identified with the digital design in application processes. Furthermore, we make a number of recommendations that we believe are necessary to remedy these issues and make a significant difference to claimants.

Recommendations

The Rate Rebate Scheme:

  • LPS should amend the Rate Rebate claim form to ask applicants in receipt of UC if income received in their first UC assessment period includes holiday pay and pay in lieu of notice.
  • The Rate Rebate claim form should be amended to make it clear that holiday pay and pay in lieu of notice is relevant to their calculation of Rate Rebate.
  • NI Direct should be amended to make it clear that holiday pay and pay in lieu of notice can be disregarded for any claimant: not just those with claims dated 4 January – 3 April 2021.
  • LPS should conduct an administrative review to identify claimants that have missed out on entitlement to Rate Rebate. Claimants since April 2021 should be invited to report this information retrospectively so that all relevant decisions can be revised.
  • LPS should develop a mechanism whereby claimants who experience a drop in income after the first UC assessment period can be reassessed for Rate Rebate.

Backdating Universal Credit Claims:

  • DfC and DWP should amend the UC claim form to ask all claimants if they require their claim to be backdated.
  • The UC claim form and associated guidance should be amended to specify the circumstances in which backdating is possible and should outline how to make such request.

Advance Universal Credit Claims:

  • DfC and DWP should amend the UC claim form to allow specified claimants to make an advance claim for Universal Credit.

We welcome further engagement with interested parties on these matters, and for more information please contact Holly Knox, Policy and Community Engagement Officer via email: holly.knox@lawcentreni.org